Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-07-23
HOW IT WORKS IN ATLANTA
Over $1,000, 900 Increase in City Pro-
perty..-.The Bar Room Gone From
Atlenta Forever.

June 18th. 1t will be remembered
that the Constitution opposed prohi-
bition during the campaign in that
city. but the following proves on
clusively that the editor is honestly
converted to the new order of things:
The election at which prohibition
was put on trial in this city is Untitled
to a place among great events. No
election of a local nature was ever
before held in a city of sixty thous-
and people of which more was in
volved. The changes proposed by it
were SO radical as to be almost rev.
dictionary. Over II hundred bus
mess houses were to be closed. Near
ly FIVE hundred men were to be fore
ed to give up a chosen employment.
The city treasury was to be left with
forty thousand dollars less revenue.
Trade amounting annually to mill
ions was to be turned away from this
city. Many large business houses
were to be left unrented. OF course,
a movement measures so radical met
with the most spirited and determin-
ed opposition. Many of our best cit
liens regarded it with outspoken dis
favor.
1t was said that prohibition in a
city so large as this was impractic-
able, that it would not prohibit, that
the trade would be injured, that taxes
would be increased, that the stores in
which the liquor business was car
ried on would not be rented for other
purposes, that the same amount of
whisky would be drank with the law
as without it, the city would only miss
the revenue, that it would be death
blow to Atlanta's progress.
1t has been eighteen months since
the election, and twelve months
since the law went into effect. We
are prepared thus from observation
to note results.
Prohibition in this city does pro-
hibit. The law is observed as well
as the law against carrying concealed
weapons, gambling, theft and other
offences of like character. If there
had been as many people in favor
of carrying concealed weapons, theft,
gambling; ETC., as there were in favor
of the retail of ardent spirits, twelve
months ago, law against these things
would not have been carried out as
well as it was against the liquor
trade. In consideration of the small
majority with which prohibition was
carried, and the large number of peo'
pie who were opposed to seeing il
prohibit, the law has been marvel,
ously well observed.
Prohibition has not injuredthe city
financially. According to the asses
sors' books property in the city has
increased over two millions of dollars
Taxes have not been increased. Two
streets in the city, Decatur and Pc
tiers, were known as liquor streets
1t was hardly considered proper for
lady to walk these streets without al
escort. Now they are just as orderly
as any in the city, property on then
has advanced from 10 to % per cent
The loss of forty thousand dollar
revenue, consequent on closing tn
saloons, has tended in no degree Il
impede the city's progress in any di
rection. Large appropriations hav
been made to the water-wOrks, tn
public schools, the Piedmont fai
and other improvements. The bus
mess men have raised 100000 t
build the Atlanta and Hawkinsvill
railroad. The number of bushes
banks is to be increased to five. Tn
coming of four new railroads ha
been settled during the year. Fl
teen new stores containing house
furnishing goods have been starte
since prohibition went into effec
These are doing well. More furn
ture has been sold to mechanics an
laboring men in the last twely
months than in any twelve month
during the history of the city. TT
manufacturing establishments of tt
city have received new life. A gla
factory has been built. a cottC
seed oil mill is being built wort
$4,000 All Improvement comp
mics with a basis in real estate hay
seen their stock doubled in Walt
since the election on prohibition.
Stores in which the liquor traC
was conducted are not vacant, b
me now occupied by other lines
trade. According to the real esta
men more labOrers and men of liz
led means are buying lots than ev
before. Rents are more prompt